Car-coupling



(No Model.)

' J. G. SLATER.

CAR COUPLING.

No. 352,581. Patented NOV.,16, 1886.

*pin in an uncoupling position.

1' UNITED STATES PATENT 7 OFFICE.

JACOB o. SLATER, or PoUc KEEPsIuAssmNoR or TWO-THIBDS TO JOHN F. BROWN AND JAMEs H. SIMONSON, BOTH or ALB NY, NEW YORK.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,581, dated November 16, 1856.

(No moduli) To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that- I, J AcoB G. SLATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Poughkeepsie, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gar'Oouplers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the'same.

My invention relates to car-couplers; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described, and definitely pointed out in the claim.

The object of my invention is to provide a coupler which is simple and effectivein its construction, positiveiu its action, easily handled and operated, readily understood, and conveniently applied without the use of unnecessary mechanism. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference in dicate similar parts inthe several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved car-coupler. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same with the couplingpin in a locking position. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the coupling-pin in the act of coupling. Fig. 4is a View similar to Fig. 3, showing the coupling- Fig. 5 is a View in side elevation of the coupling-pin.

A indicates the draw-bar, having a drawhead, B, mounted thereon, which draw-head B is providedwith a projection, B, cast integral with the top thereof. Asinthe ordinary form of draw-head an opening, I), is provided in the front thereof, which connects with the link-recess b, in which the link 0 has movement and rests in coupling.

The draw-head B is provided with a vertical slot, B, the front and rear walls, I)" and b of which are formed with a series of indentations, 1), and projections, 12 which are connected by gradual curves. This slot B is wider at its top than at its lower portion, and has suitable guard projections, b and b respectively, at the top of the front and rear walls, b

and b".

A reversible coupling-pin, D, havingindentations d and'projections d corresponding to and engaging with theindentationsb and projections b of the slot B engageswith the said 5 slot, assuming the several positions shown. This pin D is provided with a stem, (1 which has a ball or other suitable handle, (1 cast therewith. The bottom porlion of this pin D is V-shaped, as at d", itslower end being formed blunt and gradually curved. This portion of the pin fits in the lower portion of the slot B, which conforms to the shape of the said pin at this point.

The rear portion of the link-recess b is en-. 6 larged and formed with a series of indentations, 1, 2, and 3, for the reception of the end of the link 0 in the positions it assumes in coupling with cars of different grades and as an aid for the action of the coupling;piu D.

Extending transversely from either side of the slot B are semicircular slots 4and5,which extend vertically through the draw-head and form a recess for the reception of a common coupling-pin in case the coupling-pin Dshould be broken by accident or otherwise.

A suitable cord or chain may be connected to the handle of the coupling-pin D, for slightly lifting it when it is adapted to uncouple the cars, which cord or chain may extend to one side of the car, or above the same, if necessary.

-WVhen the link D is fixed or coupled, it assumes the position shown in Fig. 2, its front edge engaging with the front wall of the slot B In uncoupling," the pin D is slightly raised and the link 0 allowed to withdraw, the said link assuming the inclination shown inFig. 3, the pin dropping down by gravity and remain ing in an upright position. In coupling the link Ostrikes the lower V-shaped portion of the 0 pin D, and the pin takes the oppositelydnclined position shown in Fig. 4. When the link 0 passes under the lower point of the pin D, the said'pin drops down through the link-aperture and engages with the front wall of the slot B 5 WVhen the link strikes the lower portion of the pin, the said pin is retained in the slot B by striking the projecting guards b and b formed with the front and rear walls at the top of the slot B The pin D is constructed of a flat piece of metal of'suflicient thickness as to just fit the slot B, and has its edges formed of the same configurations as said slot, so as to be adapted to be reversed in case the one side should become worn by continual use.

This coupler can be constructed by suitable means, and is positive and effective in its action, dispensing entirely with gudgeons or wrist-pins, and depending entirely on the acand is easily applied to any car now in use without'any change in the form of mechanism commonly used.

It is obvious that slight changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts could be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As an article of manufacture, an improved car-coupler consisting of a vertically-slotted draw-head provided with indentations and proj ections in the front and rear walls, a reversible coupling-pin engaging with said slot and having projections and indentations conforming and adapted to engage with those formed in the front and rear walls'of the vertical slots, and a link-recess formed with a series of indentations in the rear walls thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- JACOB G. SLATER.

Witnesses: I

JAMES MATTHEWS, HOMER E. BRIGGS. 

